SRC-DPW S.B. 876 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 876 76R7317 BDH-DBy: Shapiro Education 4/27/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, Texas law grants the commissioner of education the authority to "reconstitute" public schools that are rated as "low performing." During "reconstitution" all or part of a campus' employees are required to resign and reapply for jobs with the district. In Texas, this process is only used in extreme cases. This bill would require the commissioner of education to establish a mandatory reconstitution process for chronic low-performing schools to attempt to address citizens' concerns over the plight of students who are unable to leave "low performing" public schools. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 876 sets forth criteria and procedures for restaffing low-performing public schools. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 39G, Education Code, by adding Section 39.132, as follows: Sec. 39.132. SANCTIONS FOR CERTAIN SCHOOLS. Provides that a school considered to be a low-performing campus under Section 39.131(b) for two consecutive years, must be placed on probationary status by the commissioner of education (commissioner), during which time the school is required to seek and receive assistance regarding staffing and resource allocation. Authorizes the commissioner to request the revocation of a principal's certification by the State Board of Educator Certification and order some or all classroom teachers to be reassigned to other campuses or positions, if improvement is not demonstrated after the probationary period has ended. Provides that employment at a campus for which the commissioner orders reassignment for classroom teachers under Subsection (b), is grounds for nonrenewal of a contract under Chapter 21E. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective to the 1999 - 2000 school year. SECTION 3.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.